I posted several weeks ago about the major bullying problem that I have amongst my hens. Last night my husband and I put on peepers on the hens that we caught bullying. The minute we put them down, after trying to get it off, they continued harassing the other hens. The peepers didn't seem to do anything to stop them. This afternoon I went out to check on them and they were still picking on the other hens. One of them even drew blood this time. Anyone that uses these peepers, does it take awhile for their bullying behavior to change? Thanks, Tiera
If they're drawing blood, you really do have a major problem of bullying. How many hens do you have in your flock? Have you sat and observed which hens are doing the most bullying?
We have 12 hens with a large coop and run for them. What I have noticed is that some of the bullied ones will often stay inside the coop because every time they come out into the run the bullies will peck and jump on top of them until they run back into the coop. They are very mean! But what is weird is that some of the bullies also are missing a lot of feathers. Even the mean ones are picking on each other. As I have watched them what usually happens is one of the bullies will decide that it is time to be mean and will start picking on one of the other ones. That stirs up a few more who will then come over and join in. What my husband and I did is watched for the instigators and put peepers on them. Right now 4 of the 12 have one on. But it doesn't seem like it is working. That's why I was wondering if it takes awhile. Thanks for your help. This must stop! I'm just not sure what else to do.